The Whites announced on Wednesday (April 8) that the offender had been identified following an investigation and subsequently handed a lifetime ban.

Rendell, who suffered the trauma of losing four-week-old Alfie in December 2010, said: “It’s something I never thought I would have to hear on a football pitch.

"It shocked me and I had to ask him three times to make sure that’s what he had said.

“It’s part and parcel of being a footballer that you get abuse and banter and you learn to deal with it, but when you go that far you’ve crossed the line.”

'Abhorrent comments'

Mild-mannered Rendell, the ultimate professional on and off the pitch, could be seen gesticulating with a man on the sidelines during the 2-1 defeat.

He explained: “The police were there and I spoke to the officials and the fourth official and a linesman confirmed they heard it.

“Fair play to Dover, many clubs might have dragged their heels because they don’t want bad press. It’s been two days and they’ve found the culprit.”

Rendell, Woking’s leading scorer with 22 league goals and who was named the Vanarama Conference Player of the Month for March, added: “Hopefully no-one has to go through that, because other people will have lost children.”

And recalling the tragedy, he added: “Until it happens to you, you never know how much it hurts you, it never goes away.

"When someone like that broaches a subject they know nothing about and finds it funny, that’s what got me and I saw red for the first time in many years.”

A statement from Dover Athletic FC explained that its action was taken over “abhorrent comments to a player”, following a report on the incident from the matchday official and the club’s safety officer.

Chairman Jim Parmenter said: “Everyone at Dover is saddened and disgusted that such deplorable behaviour, for which there can be no mitigation, has occurred at our club.

"Our sincerest regret and apologies go to the player and his family.

“We make great effort to be welcoming, hospitable and inclusive to all and I hope that our supporters will not be judged on this one individual.

“Following the conclusion of our investigation, the individual involved will be issued with a life ban with immediate effect.”